FOLLOWING their creditable game at top-of-the-table Warrington last week, Southport Rugby Club’s 1st XV return home tomorrow to play Douglas, Isle of Mann, kick-off 2.15pm.

Mike Dale has recovered from injury and he will lead out the team, which has one other change. Ian Meyer is not available so Steve Wallace replaces him at full-back.

George Baumber, whose line-out work did much to keep Southport in the game against Warrington, is on the bench, alongside in-form David Snape, and tough scrummager John Gillow.

Douglas have won only one of their five away games so far this season, a 10-9 victory over Ashton-on-Mersey, so Dale’s team are confident of a good performance.

Coach John Porter is looking for the consistency that Southport produced in the latter half of last season. The three teams close to them in the league, Crewe & Nantwich, Ashton, and Wallasey, all have away games, so a win could see a move up the table.

The 2nd XV are away to Hutton II, who narrowly beat them in October.

Martin Bailey’s team will want to make amends for their one point defeat last week and have a strong team with Joe Mawdesley and John Roberts at half-back.

All the club’s minis and juniors will be at Waterloo Road on Sunday morning, with the under-7s through to under-12s playing Tarleton, and the older boys will be training.

The “200” Club draw will also be made at the clubhouse tomorrow, at about 5.30pm, and chief promoter Jeff Windle will be presiding.